Gantz urges ultra-Orthodox politicians to back increased lockdown enforcement in Haredi areas

Defense Minister Benny Gantz calls on ultra-Orthodox lawmakers allied with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party to support increased enforcement of coronavirus restrictions in Haredi areas with high infection rates, amid growing complaints that authorities are turning a blind eye to lockdown violations there.

In a tweet directed at the heads of the Shas and United Torah Judaism parties, Gantz says most ultra-Orthodox Israelis follow the lockdown rules, but those who don’t are endangering others.

“Please allow Bibi [Netanyahu] to apply equal enforcement in Haredi cities as well,” Gantz says.

He cites the Jewish legal principle of pikuah nefesh, or saving a life, which trumps almost all other religious requirements.